A new report exploring the potential for Irish wool was launched last week in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Mountbellew.
The report captured opinions from farmers, shearers and companies involved in the processing of wool in Ireland and further afield and makes seven key recommendations for adding value to Irish wool. These recommendations are listed as follows:
Support national wool awareness, capacity building and skills development.Enable early-stage processing and aggregation infrastructure.Lead a national programme of pilot projects and peer learning.Act as the national coordinator and convenor of a fragmented sector.Act as a bridge between local innovation and national policy.Support development of a coherent Irish wool narrative and identity.Position LEADER as the long-term steward of place-based wool development.The report was commissioned by the Wool Partnership – a joint initiative comprising local development companies (LDCs) in Galway, Clare, Kerry, Tipperary and Kilkenny.
It was authored by Tim Yeomans, Munster Technological University; Ngaire Takano, entrepreneur; Michael Noctor, Munster Technological University; and Pat Byrne, Agile Executives.
Scouring plant
One of the main recommendations is the need for a micro-scale wool scouring plant which extends beyond simply washing greasy wool. The report states that such a facility “can act as a demonstrator hub for Ireland’s emerging bioeconomy, linking heritage and tradition with innovation and sustainability”. It adds that “demonstration scouring provides a platform for research collaborations, training opportunities, and the development of new biobased applications for wool byproducts, from lanolin recovery to natural fertilisers. In this way, the plant operates as a catalyst for rural development and a showcase of Ireland’s commitment to combining heritage with forward-looking, circular-economy practices.”
The plant operates as a catalyst for rural development and a showcase of Ireland’s commitment to combining heritage with forward-looking, circular-economy practices
The launch was attended by Noel Grealish, Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development and Sean Canney, Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports.
Both ministers talked about the potential of wool as a high-quality, natural resource and highlighted the importance of this initiative taken by LEADER.
Next steps
Speaking at the event Declan Rice, CEO of Kilkenny Leader Partnership said that the time for talking about adding value to wool is over with action now needed to make this happen.
He said: “Interestingly, the report advises us to build a broad base of skills across the value chain, ensuring we reach shearers, community groups, craftspeople and emerging processors, as well as farmers – particularly in relation to training. I believe this is something we could deliver.
“But beyond training, the LEADER programme has a unique tool box of support measures it can offer eligible project promoters: analysis and development (research), marketing, capital towards equipment and buildings, as well as the training measure.
“These supports are available at a relatively high level in both percentage and monetary terms for small and medium sized enterprises.
“If the right idea emerges, LEADER can certainly help,” he said.
It is envisaged that the Wool Partnership will now progress with feasibility work and pilot initiatives aimed at building a stronger value-chain, from processing to high-quality yarn and garment production. There will not be an immediate transformation in fortunes for wool with such projects taking time to get off the ground, particularly at any level of significant scale. However, it is hoped that there can be more success stories such as the Galway Wool Co-op in the short-term which can deliver a premium price for wool back to the primary producer.
A new report exploring the potential for Irish wool was launched last week in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Mountbellew.
The report captured opinions from farmers, shearers and companies involved in the processing of wool in Ireland and further afield and makes seven key recommendations for adding value to Irish wool. These recommendations are listed as follows:
Support national wool awareness, capacity building and skills development.Enable early-stage processing and aggregation infrastructure.Lead a national programme of pilot projects and peer learning.Act as the national coordinator and convenor of a fragmented sector.Act as a bridge between local innovation and national policy.Support development of a coherent Irish wool narrative and identity.Position LEADER as the long-term steward of place-based wool development.The report was commissioned by the Wool Partnership – a joint initiative comprising local development companies (LDCs) in Galway, Clare, Kerry, Tipperary and Kilkenny.
It was authored by Tim Yeomans, Munster Technological University; Ngaire Takano, entrepreneur; Michael Noctor, Munster Technological University; and Pat Byrne, Agile Executives.
Scouring plant
One of the main recommendations is the need for a micro-scale wool scouring plant which extends beyond simply washing greasy wool. The report states that such a facility “can act as a demonstrator hub for Ireland’s emerging bioeconomy, linking heritage and tradition with innovation and sustainability”. It adds that “demonstration scouring provides a platform for research collaborations, training opportunities, and the development of new biobased applications for wool byproducts, from lanolin recovery to natural fertilisers. In this way, the plant operates as a catalyst for rural development and a showcase of Ireland’s commitment to combining heritage with forward-looking, circular-economy practices.”
The plant operates as a catalyst for rural development and a showcase of Ireland’s commitment to combining heritage with forward-looking, circular-economy practices
The launch was attended by Noel Grealish, Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development and Sean Canney, Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports.
Both ministers talked about the potential of wool as a high-quality, natural resource and highlighted the importance of this initiative taken by LEADER.
Next steps
Speaking at the event Declan Rice, CEO of Kilkenny Leader Partnership said that the time for talking about adding value to wool is over with action now needed to make this happen.
He said: “Interestingly, the report advises us to build a broad base of skills across the value chain, ensuring we reach shearers, community groups, craftspeople and emerging processors, as well as farmers – particularly in relation to training. I believe this is something we could deliver.
“But beyond training, the LEADER programme has a unique tool box of support measures it can offer eligible project promoters: analysis and development (research), marketing, capital towards equipment and buildings, as well as the training measure.
“These supports are available at a relatively high level in both percentage and monetary terms for small and medium sized enterprises.
“If the right idea emerges, LEADER can certainly help,” he said.
It is envisaged that the Wool Partnership will now progress with feasibility work and pilot initiatives aimed at building a stronger value-chain, from processing to high-quality yarn and garment production. There will not be an immediate transformation in fortunes for wool with such projects taking time to get off the ground, particularly at any level of significant scale. However, it is hoped that there can be more success stories such as the Galway Wool Co-op in the short-term which can deliver a premium price for wool back to the primary producer.
SHARING OPTIONS